More funds to chase before election race begins

FAIRFAX MP Ted O'Brien says the LNP's move to base its federal election campaign from Queensland is an enormous milestone but he has plenty he wants to achieve before that gets into full swing.

More money for Bruce Highway upgrades, particularly at the interchange between Maroochydore and Nambour, is high on his list.

His focus fits in with a congestion-busting blueprint being touted by Prime Minister Scott Morrison for southeast Queensland.

Mr Morrison will set up campaign headquarters in Brisbane for this year's election and will hold his first cabinet meeting for the year in the city today.

"The first big thing is the whistle hasn't been blown on the election," Mr O'Brien said.

"For the Sunshine Coast we cannot leave any money on the table for this term of government.

"My focus is on delivering in this term rather than focusing on the next."

However, Mr O'Brien said a "very clear vision" had been mapped out between Queensland's federal LNP members which included "a raft of priority projects".

He would not yet reveal those projects but said they "absolutely" included the Sunshine Coast and would be announced as the election neared.

"We could be based anywhere but we've chosen Queensland, which is huge," Mr O'Brien said.

"It is very difficult to win federal government unless you win Queensland."

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He said that was because voters, rightly, tended to shift their votes to show their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with elected representatives.

"The fact that we hold 21 out of 30 seats also means that it is critical that we maintain those seats and go after others."

Mr O'Brien said as a region, the Sunshine Coast had never before received as much federal government funding as during the current term, listing $3 billion for Bruce Highway improvements, $390 million for rail duplication and $181 million for the airport expansion project.

"If you are going to make promises or commitments for the future it has to be built on credible foundations.

"You'll only win Queenslanders' trust if you prove you have a capacity to do what you say."

More broadly, he said the region's standing in southeast Queensland was also important.

"The biggest play I'm going after, which is fast rail, is a story which is about connecting the commuters across the south east and making it safer for people to get home sooner."